there's a beat up Helios-40 85mm near by in m42 mount that I'm entertaining the thought of buying.
I've seen a few images that show a 'swirly' effect when wide open, but I don't know a thing about them.
anyone have any thoughts or experience they'd like to share?
is it safe to assume that the m42 - eos adapter is all that's required to mount it to any eos body? (will the mirror clear?)
I have no idea what the street value is. looks like $400.00 for a nice one with box/filter kit in used condition at ......, but a beater?
I have several lenses from the Helios time period and have researched several others to gain a knowledge of their respective character. There is an 85/1.5 Helios 40 - should be a clear aluminum color and sometimes an M39 with a 42 adapter - and a Helios 40-2 - black in color and usually includes a built-in tripod mount - the 40 is the older of the two and the 40-2 is said to have the better IQ. They are optimized for portrait - nicely sharp in the center and very soft at the edges at 1.5 and yes the "Biotar" swirly bokeh. They are big and heavy.
With an M42 mount - though hard to find in good condition - a good condition 40 should be less than $400 and a beater around $300 - you can find excellent condition 40-2's for $475 - though the prices on that one has been going up. I've notice some of the BIN's are asking much higher prices - wait for a lower price to come around - they are probably hard to sell and will be tough to get your money back.
Mirror clearance? - good question - not all M42's clear on a 5D at infinity - I know I've research that but have forgotten. Good thing memory is the first thing to go - I need all that other stuff!
i've tested all three versions of Helios-40: old ('alum', m39 ), newer (black, m42) and last (multi-coated, m42) and found no any problems with mirror clearens on my 5D. the only problem i've got with old lens is infinity overstepping.
On my Helios 40-2 there are no mirror clearance issues. It's stiff to focus, even after an overhaul, but I love this lens to death beside the fact that it's a heavy beast.
$400 for the first version seems a bit steep... Or have they gone up in price that much lately?
I have two silver copies. One is among first ever produced, with Red "П" (equivalent of Zeiss T) on it. It is as good as the famous Biotar 75/1.5, only with less harsh bokeh. Another one is a later copy with yellowed glass, lower contrast and terrible flare control. I would sell one of them but the first is undeniably better optically, but the second one produces amazing retro-looking pictures that I just love. So I keep both for now
Nice shots - a lens for images with distinction! - Andrei - perfect lens for the vintage clothes shot. Guissimo - the poppies are great - that also might look good cropped to 16:9.
You guys may want to look at the Meyer Trioplan - fairly cheap - it's not for everybody but is distinct. I have some images in my uploads if you're interested - page 6 & 7. I'll try to pull some others off the hard drive.
